What is Pilot Training
With time, pilot training courses have seen a surge in the number of students applying for it. To be eligible for the pilot training course candidates have to clear individual entrance and aptitude tests. Admission to pilot training courses includes written and medical tests and flying time. For pilot training, there are plenty of aviation schools in India that can facilitate a flying career for you, but you have to clear various levels of examination to become a certified pilot. During the pilot training course, candidates are trained to fly aircraft and other important details related to it. The training includes flying hours and a written examination conducted by DGCA.
Becoming a pilot is a lengthy process as there are various levels and you have to qualify every level, it is challenging and complex, but once you become a certified pilot, the perks and remuneration are swoon-worthy. Therefore, if the limit is beyond the sky for you and you're thrilled to conquer the clouds then flying is indeed meant for you.
Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Pilot Training
For pilot training course, candidates must have qualified 10+2 in science stream with a minimum score of 50% marks. Mathematics and Physics are the mandatory subjects for candidates who want to have a flying career.
Candidates should be physically fit, with perfect vision in at least one eye and a bank guarantee of Rs. 10,000. Interested candidates should have an AFCME medical certificate.
Student Pilot License (SPL)
The candidate should have attained the age of 16 years.
The candidate should have a minimum qualification of Class 10th passed.
This is followed by an oral test and a Pilot Aptitude Test.
Private Pilot License (PPL)
The candidate must attain the age of 17 years.
The candidate must have passed 10+2 examinations.
For the Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
The candidate must be at least 18 years of age.
The candidates must have qualified Physics and Maths in their class 12th board exams.
To become a certified CPL, a candidate should have 3 years experience with PPL.
Entrance Exam for Pilot Training
About 80% of the flying schools offer certificate or diploma courses, therefore, the students who want to get a degree in pilot training must undergo entrance examination to be eligible to apply to various colleges.
Following is the list of entrance exam for pilot training
TS EAMCET (Telangana State Engineering Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test) – It is a state-level entrance exam conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad to offer examination to various professional courses in Telangana. This exam is conducted through online mode in December.
JEE Main/JEE Advanced (Joined Entrance Exam)- It is the national level entrance exam conducted by NTA to offer admission in various engineering colleges in India. Students who qualify JEE Mains Exam must then appear for the JEE Advanced Exam. It's conducted in April- September.
Scope of Pilot Training in India and Abroad
According to Ex Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, "The Indian aviation industry will create 40 lakh jobs in the next 10 years". The aviation industry is booming as air travel has become cheaper and a lot more convenient. Thus, it is a huge employment sector for pilot training professionals that will open a lot of opportunities for youngsters. Piloting is one of the highest paying jobs because of its complex and vigorous nature.
Apart from employment and wage, air navigation is the dream job for many because of the job stability and high esteem it brings. The job of a pilot is highly interesting as they get to travel around the world, explore new destinations and culture. Being a pilot sounds glamorous, but in reality, it is a very highly demanding job as the life of many depends on you, the tough nature of this job provides various perks to a pilot such as low airfare, travel, allowances in housing, and medical.
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Course Subjects
Pilot training is a skilful and highly professional course. Therefore, the course syllabus includes vocational subjects such as-
Aviation Meteorology
Air regulation and navigation
Basic Flight instruments
Flight Training Process
Flight Physiology
Forces acting on the aeroplane
Manoeuvring
Solo Flight and Dual Flights
Aeromedical Factors
VOR Navigation
Eight-on Pylons
Power-off stalls
Airframe
Stability and Control
Go-around Factors
Normal & Cross Wind take-off
Approach and Landing
Careers in Pilot Training
A career in pilot training is appealing because of the high remuneration, travel opportunity and the societal status it provides. The sky is open to limitless possibilities due to the opening of various national and international routes. Other than this, air travel has become way cheaper than it was expected. As a result, it has more customers than ever, and therefore the demand for pilots has increased incessantly. The resonance of the word pilot itself is the biggest reason that careers in it is impressive.
As a pilot training professional one can either work as a commercial pilot or private jet pilot, both of these career options have high remuneration, or you can also work for the Indian Air Force, which is the best option as you don't have to pay the costly tuition fee and you'll get paid for the training period as well.
Upcoming trends
Staying successful isn't possible by only focussing on the current scenario, to stay relevant companies are constantly pitching anticipatory ideas and views for the future of the aviation industry. There are various possible trends which will reshape the future of airlines market, some of them have been listed below-
Ownership – Airports have transformed from being a government entity to shared ownership; in the future scenario, it is believed that the airlines will become private entities, leading to better infrastructure and investment returns.
Development of high-end airports - Airports have become more than a travel commodity, service providers are constantly investing in airports, integrating various facilities and providing seamless services.
The Digital Security – Airline industry is rapidly moving towards "walk through security" to increase the functionality and reduce friction, use of biometrics to automate verification processes is one of the main examples.
Job Profiles and Top Recruiters
Pilot Training Job profile
After becoming a certified pilot, individuals can work for the following job profiles.
Job Profile | Description |
Co-Pilot | A co-pilot assists the pilot with flight duties. Freshers are generally appointed in the capacity of co-pilot. They assist the pilot in deciding the route, speed and during the take-off and landing. They also take the charge of flight in cases when the pilot fails to resume their duty. |
Private Jet Pilot | A private Jet Pilot flies a charter plane used for private customers. They may fly corporate executives from city to city, transport professional sports teams or take celebrities to a movie shoot. |
They work for airlines, private companies as well as private individuals. Having a license and certain hours of flying experience is mandatory for this profile. | |
Air Force Pilot | Indian Air Force is one of the job recruiters for pilots. They are deployed to various outposts. They generally fly fighter planes and aircraft as their job is to defend the Indian sky. |
Commuter Pilot | Commuting Pilot work on contract basis, they live away from their country of usual residence and fly for the airline at their designated base. |
Flight Instructors | Flight instructors instruct student pilots on-ground training and flying training, they prepare a lesson and monitor students. Mostly senior pilots work as flight instructors. |
Experimental Test Pilot | Experimental Test Pilots fly newly developed planes which have never been flown. They work in, three phases Plan, Fly, and Report. |
Pilot Training Top Recruiters
Indian Airlines
Air India
Indigo
Jet Airways
Vistara
Spice Jet
Air Asia
Indian Air Force
Personal Charter Planes
Average Salary
The job of a pilot is full of risk and life-fearing circumstances, therefore the remuneration they get is higher than most of the job profile. A commercial pilot can get a salary of about Rs. 1-5 lakhs per month depending on the airline company whereas a private jet pilot easily bags a salary worth Rs. 50 lakhs per month.
Apart from the salary, they get various perks as well.
Job Profile | Average Salary |
Co-Pilot | Rs. 10-12 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Private Jet Pilot | Rs. 40-50 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Commercial Pilot | Rs. 12-16 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Air Force Pilot | Rs. 12-15 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Commuter Pilot | Rs.16-18 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Flight Instructors | Rs. 32-35 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Experimental Test Pilot | Rs. 8-10 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Required Skillset for Pilot Training
The job of a pilot training professional looks dreamy and glamorous, but in reality, it is full of tough situations which can be dealt only if a pilot has these following skills-
Communication Skills – This is the most important skill for any pilot. Pilots often need to communicate with their passengers, cabin-crew and the air-traffic controller, therefore being able to communicate your views efficiently is very important.
Leadership Skills – Every person boarding on a flight is a pilot's responsibility. Often circumstances arise where a pilot needs to lead everyone in the plane, these situations often create chaos, and unless one has good leadership skills, the situation will be very difficult to handle.
Technical Skills – Flying a plane is a technical profession which demands knowledge in both theoretical and practical form. Lacking either one is not ideal. Often situations arise where a pilot needs to be technically sound to cope up with such situations.
Problem Solving – Sky is unpredictable, and often situations of high tension arise during the flight. Therefore, the quality of being calm and making a quick judgement to resolve the problem is a required skill.
Course Curriculum for Pilot Training
Pilot training is a 2 years long vocational course that includes both theoretical knowledge and practical experience to shape a skilled pilot. The curriculum includes two types of training, namely ground training and flying training. Ground Training is the study of theoretical aspects of flying. Flying Training is the most important part of pilot training in which the candidate has to cover 200 hours of solo and dual flight time to obtain CPL (Commercial Pilot License).
The curriculum of pilot training is designed to form a disciplined and confident pilot who can fly specific aircraft for the either private or commercial sector.
A pilot can train for the following license
Private License
Commercial License
Instrument Rating
Commercial Single Engine
Commercial Multi-Engine
Certified Flight Instructor and Flight Instructor Instrument
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: Can a student who doesn't have a science background apply for pilot training?
Answer :
Technically no, because a candidate is required to have pursued science as a stream to be eligible for pilot training, but the students who pass 10+2 with biology or doesn't have Physics & Maths as a mandatory subject can apply for these subjects from National Institute of Open Schooling's On-Demand Examinations and apply for pilot training after successfully passing the exam with a minimum score of 50%.
Question: What are the scholarship plans available for flying aspirants?
Answer :
As pilot training is a costly course, it can create a hole in the pocket, but there are some scholarships available for brilliant aspirants provided through IGRUA, in Rae Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh). Same has been listed below
Indian Airlines Scholarships – This is a scholarship worth Rs. 4,00,000, which is provided to two pilots on merit basis per batch.
Air India Scholarships – This scholarship worth Rs. 4,00,000 is provided to two students per batch on a merit basis.
Rajiv Gandhi Foundation – This scholarship is a monetary aid meant for two women pilots which are provided on a merit basis.
JRD Tata Memorial Scholarships- This scholarship is funded by TATA groups, to reward four brilliant students with a scholarship worth Rs. 1,00,000 on merit basis.
Question: What is the duration of the course Pilot training?
Answer :
Pilot training is a 16 months course which can extend to up to 36 months to clear all the exams.
Question: What is the average fee for the course Pilot training?
Answer :
Pilot training is a very costly course. The average fee varies depending on the flying club and the aeroplane. The average fee can cost about Rs. 8- 18 lakhs.
Question: Which are the top colleges offering Pilot Training courses?
Answer :
The Institutes that offer Pilot Training are –
Indira Gandhi Institute of AAeronautic
Flying Training Institute, Behala, Calcutta
Government Aviation Training Institute, Civil Aerodrome, Bhubaneswar
Government Flying Club, Aerodrome, Lucknow
School of Aviation Science and Technology, Delhi Flying Club Ltd, New Delhi
State Civil Aviation, UP Government Training Centre Kanpur and Varanasi
